As consumer-oriented drones have grown in popularity with photographers and tinkerers, several parks including Arizona’s Grand Canyon National Park and Utah’s Zion National Park have ruled recently that drones are forbidden.

Now, the U.S. National Parks Service says that prohibition applies more broadly.

“The use of unmanned aircraft in national parks is considered a new recreational use, and as such is not allowed under National Park Service policy,” spokesman Jeffrey Olson said. The NPS “is reviewing the issue of unmanned aircraft and we expect to issue guidance to park superintendents in the near future.”

What drove the decision?

“There came a point that flying unmanned aircraft in national parks and other public lands became an issue, in the last year or so roughly. That alerted parks to look at the activity in light of policy,” Olson said. “The increasing popularity of flying unmanned aircraft and incidents where unmanned aircraft caused problems for visitors or were used to harass wildlife moved several park superintendents to write specific language in the park’s ‘rule book.’”

It’s a ruling that won’t sit well with drone enthusiasts, but don’t hold your breath that the Parks service might change its mind nationally.

“Only a few national parks have had sufficient experience with unmanned aircraft to make a decision on their use,” Olson said. “All of those national parks have decided hobby flying of unmanned aircraft is inappropriate and won’t be allowed.”